BS01 Alesia I (52 BC)

Gallic attack on the construction works

A simple starter. Originally the Gauls had a greater proportion of Medium Cavalry but they were ahistorically dominant, particularly if they drew Mounted Charge. For the uncompleted entrenchments I had originally gone with the more complicated entrenchment rules that appear in Scenario 4 but they were unnecessary here where their game function is to channel the cavalry. Broken Ground serves the purpose just as well here and is simpler. It’s also reasonable to consider that the entrenchments are still under construction and are not yet at their full lethal effectiveness (more on Alesia Design Notes HERE).

Historical BackgroundIn 52 BC Julius Caesar faced a major, organised rebellion of combined Gallic tribes commanded by Vercingetorix of the Averni. After near defeat at Gergovia, the Romans won several cavalry engagements, scattering the Gallic army and forcing Vercingetorix to regroup his 80,000 men at the hilltop fortified town of Alesia. Learning his lesson from Gergovia, Caesar avoided a frontal assault and decided on besieging the Gauls. He set his own force of 40,000 to construct a circumvallation, a continuous 10 mile line of fortifications completely encircling the town, comprised of ramparts linking redoubts and fortified camps and fronted by ditches and concealed pit and stake mantraps. The besieged Gauls made frequent raids in an attempt to disrupt the construction works, culminating in a pitched cavalry battle. “During the construction of these works a hard-fought cavalry battle took place in the three mile stretch of plain between the hills. Seeing his men in difficulties, Caesar reinforced them with the German cavalry and drew up the legions in front of their camps. Encouraged by their support the cavalry routed the enemy, whose flight was impeded by their own numbers. Hotly pursued by the Germans right up to the fortifications of Vercingetorix’s camp, they got jammed in the narrow entrances and suffered heavy losses.” – Caesar, Commentarii de Bello GallicoThe stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

War Council

Gallic ArmyLeader: unknownTake 5 Command Cards Move First

Roman ArmyLeader: Take 5 Command Cards

Victory5 Banners

Special RulesAny Gallic unit that that occupies a Fortified Camp hex at the start of the Gallic player's turn may remove that Camp tile from the board and gain one Victory Banner which cannot be lost.

In the first of 2 solitaire games, the Gauls didn't mass their calvary and were defeated 5 - 4. In the second game, the Gauls did that , but failed to crack the Romans center. A medium calvary unit managed to capture a camp hex with the leader however, and held off the Romans winning by a score of 5 - 2.